Hosta tardiana Blue Ivory

Hosta tardiana 'Blue Ivory' has something enchanting about it. This variety, also known as Funkia, is a natural mutation of the famous cultivar 'Halcyon'. Its astonishing cordate-elongated leaves, with a thick texture, show a blue central zone, adorned with metallic reflections, surrounded by an irregular ivory-white margin. They create a striking display from spring to autumn and come alive in July-August with a perfectly matched ashy-purple flowering. Of intermediate size and fairly slow growth, the plant establishes itself slowly and proves easy to succeed with in moist soil. 'Blue Ivory' is an exceptional perennial that will undoubtedly bring an almost unreal touch to the cool areas of the garden.

Hostas are deciduous perennial plants belonging to the Asparagaceae family. 'Blue Ivory' is part of a line of hybrids called 'tardiana'. This remarkable variety has the genes of Hosta tardiflora and H. sieboldiana var. elegans. 'Blue Ivory' forms a clump wider than it is tall after a few years. It will reach about 40cm (16in) in height and 50 to 60cm (20 to 24in) in diameter. This is a long-lived plant with deciduous foliage, which is mostly blue with greyish reflections. It maintains its intensity until late summer. The laminae are irregularly marginated with white. The leaves bear an elongated heart shape, ending in a sharp point. They have a smooth surface with prominent veins. This thick foliage resists gastropod attacks very well. Flowering takes place in July-August, in the form of compact pale-lavender bell-shaped pendulous spikes grouped towards the top of peduncles that can reach 55cm (22in) in height.

Originally from China, Korea, and Japan, hostas are very hardy plants. They are most often found as ground cover under deciduous trees, in cool beds or in rockeries and borders, especially near ornamental ponds. Hosta 'Blue Ivory' will blend well in partial shade with the blue or purple foliage of bugbanes, helxine, and the beautiful yellow leaves of alchemillas. It also pairs well with Claytonia sibirica, with which it forms beautiful colourful duos that require little maintenance. The bright and silvery foliage of Athyrium nipponicum 'Pictum' and Heuchera 'Sugar Frosting' will reveal all its brilliance. This perennial will also be at its best in the company of corydalis, tall foxgloves, or small violets. All hostas grow well in pots and can remain in the same container for several years. A special geranium potting soil should be used during the growing season. As long as the foliage is not too dense, watering can be done from the top of the pot. Then place a saucer under the pot where you will pour the water, keeping the level constant in summer.